See what the University of Houston's new Fertitta Center will look like soon

Ahead of the late 2018 opening of the $60 million Fertitta Center, formerly the Hofheinz Pavilion, a handful of renderings have been released of what the final product should look like on the University of Houston campus. less

Ahead of the late 2018 opening of the $60 million Fertitta Center, formerly the Hofheinz Pavilion, a handful of renderings have been released of what the final product should look like on the University of ... more

Photo: University Of Houston Athletics

Photo: University Of Houston Athletics

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Ahead of the late 2018 opening of the $60 million Fertitta Center, formerly the Hofheinz Pavilion, a handful of renderings have been released of what the final product should look like on the University of Houston campus. less

Ahead of the late 2018 opening of the $60 million Fertitta Center, formerly the Hofheinz Pavilion, a handful of renderings have been released of what the final product should look like on the University of ... more

Photo: University Of Houston Athletics

See what the University of Houston's new Fertitta Center will look like soon

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Ahead of the late 2018 opening of the $60 million Fertitta Center, formerly the Hofheinz Pavilion, a handful of renderings have been released of what the final product should look like on the University of Houston campus.

The worlds of film, music, politics and sports are filled with former University of Houston Cougars who used their time at the university to springboard themselves to bigger things.

Media: Houston Chronicle

In 2016, billionaire Tilman Fertitta, one of the school's most successful alumni, gave the school a $20 million gift to back the project.

There is a special website which shows off some of the seating options that fans will experience at Fertitta Center. In addition, webcams were installed during construction to show work as its being done.

Although construction schedule is still on track the men's and women's basketball teams will not compete in the Fertitta Center in November. Jeff Conrad, assistant athletics director of communications, told Chron.com on Friday that they might start hooping in the arena by early December.

"People are going to be amazed at the new facility," Conrad said. "They have completely changed the feel and look of the building. It's hard to remember at times what Hofheinz Pavilion looked like when you are in there."

Some of the new bells and whistles will include a new scoreboard and fan-friendly restrooms and retail space.

To honor Judge Roy Hofheinz, the man who funded the original arena with a $1.5 million donation in 1969, a special statue will be installed on site.